The Spokane City Office of Emergency Management is part of the Mayor's Office, providing disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery services for the City of Spokane.
Emergency management provides disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery services to the City of Spokane, Washington. Day to day emergency situations are generally handled by response-focused departments like police, fire, or public works, but when an emergency occurs that is beyond the city’s normal capability to respond, emergency management comes into play. Emergency management supports additional coordination of resources, information, operational goals and planning efforts to support the response to significant emergencies in Spokane.
A disaster is an event that goes beyond the scope of local resources and capabilities. Normally, response agencies like police, fire, or public works can handle emergencies. If something happens that goes beyond the capabilities of those agencies to handle alone, Emergency Management can help coordinate resources and information for an effective response.
A Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) outlines how a city prepares for, responds to and recovers from emergencies and disasters. It defines roles, responsibilities, coordination procedures, and resources to support public safety during all types of incidents, ranging from natural disasters to public health emergencies. Government entities develop and test these plans through exercises to ensure a coordinated, effective response that protects lives, property, and critical infrastructure. A well-executed CEMP helps cities build resilience and recover faster when disaster strikes.
If you have questions or comments, please contact:
Sarah Nuss
Director of Emergency Management, City of Spokane
snuss@spokanecity.org
